After last year's optimistic journey into the works of Jane Austen, Masterpiece Classic has taken a darker turn with its last two films. Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Wuthering Heights reflect the fear and anxiety that has been prevailing our evening news broadcast. The adaption is at best inspired by Emily Brontë novel, taking liberties with the story arc to get us through the basic narrative in about 4 hours. I decided to begin my literary project with Wuthering Heights, in part because I knew this was coming to air. Masterpiece Classic usually does not miss and this adaption is watchable -- though highly edited.However, the intensity of the novel is done an injustice in film form. The appeal of Wuthering Heights is that is a Victorian novel that breaks Victorian convictions. Reading Austen, the characters are for the most part civil, appropriate, and aware of their social caste and the limitations it brings. While ambition is a central theme for both authors, Brontë is refreshing because she explores the dark passions that Austen only alludes to. Violence, desire, bitterness, and unrequited love are all in play. And this is a good thing.
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